HELP SUPPORT DAN WILSON'S LUNG CANCER BATTLE
Donation protected
February 1 was a day that our family won't forget. Dan was admitted to the hospital because he was out of breath after having a "cold" since November. This "cold" with a bad cough out lasted multiple rounds of steroids and antibiotics. Luckily, he went to the ER with the urging by Brittany and a call with teledoc. Dan was told they had found 4 masses on his lungs and 1 on his media steinum which is under the sternum by the heart, arteries and nerves. Fast forward to appointments, scans, surgeries and the extremely devastating news.
Lives were changed forever. Tears, Shock, terror, denial...They were 90% sure it was cancerous, most likely lymphoma and least possible lung cancer given that Dan is 34 (too young for Lung Cancer!), in great health (just having finished reffing collegiate soccer in the fall) and a non-smoker. Fast forward days of scans and appointments with Jefferson hospital led us to a Pulmonologist. They did a broncoscopy biopsy. They found that the mass was intruding on his airways which was causing his breathing issues. Due to the size and location of the tumor, they were able to get a large piece of tissue for his biopsy. The wait for Dan and Brittany was torturous. On February 12, they received the devastating news that Dan did in fact have adenocarcinoma lung cancer or Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. They were told that he was either stage 3 or 4 but further testing and scans needed to be done. On Valentine's Day , Dan had a stent that would allow his airways to stay open. Unfortunately, they were only able to place one side due to the mass pushing too far into the other side. Through more testing and appointments, as well as an additional biopsy, they were told that Dan's mass on his mediastinum is inoperable, the cancer has metastasized in to other parts of the lung and he is considered stage 4.
The positive to all of this testing is that he tested positive for a gene "mutation" called ALK. About 3-4% of all lung cancers have the ALK rearrangement. This is the new face of lung cancer, only discoverable by molecular testing. Researchers have discovered treatments that inhibit ALlk+ lung cancer growth which can slow or even stop cancer progression, often with minimal adverse side effects. Although there is no cure, the hope is that these medications increase the life span by years compared to traditional lung cancer. The top doctor for Dan's cancer is located in Boston and will work closely with the doctors close to home to ensure he gets the best treatment possible and this man who is kind, selfless and unwaveringly positive is going to fight. He is going to shatter all statistics and fight this thing.
Dan and Brittany have been together for over 15 years, High School Sweethearts both attended Kutztown University then were married in July 2012. They have Two adorable daughters Francesca aka( Frankie) 4 and Georgia 2.
This is just the beginning of their fight! Please say a prayer send a donation that will help with the financial burden that arrives with this horrible disease. Our Prayers and Love go out to this young beautiful family the road ahead my not be clear but we have Faith and we have each other ! OUR Village is Large as they FIGHT TO WIN THIS BATTLE OVER LUNG CANCER!!
Thank you and Bless you,
Lives were changed forever. Tears, Shock, terror, denial...They were 90% sure it was cancerous, most likely lymphoma and least possible lung cancer given that Dan is 34 (too young for Lung Cancer!), in great health (just having finished reffing collegiate soccer in the fall) and a non-smoker. Fast forward days of scans and appointments with Jefferson hospital led us to a Pulmonologist. They did a broncoscopy biopsy. They found that the mass was intruding on his airways which was causing his breathing issues. Due to the size and location of the tumor, they were able to get a large piece of tissue for his biopsy. The wait for Dan and Brittany was torturous. On February 12, they received the devastating news that Dan did in fact have adenocarcinoma lung cancer or Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. They were told that he was either stage 3 or 4 but further testing and scans needed to be done. On Valentine's Day , Dan had a stent that would allow his airways to stay open. Unfortunately, they were only able to place one side due to the mass pushing too far into the other side. Through more testing and appointments, as well as an additional biopsy, they were told that Dan's mass on his mediastinum is inoperable, the cancer has metastasized in to other parts of the lung and he is considered stage 4.
The positive to all of this testing is that he tested positive for a gene "mutation" called ALK. About 3-4% of all lung cancers have the ALK rearrangement. This is the new face of lung cancer, only discoverable by molecular testing. Researchers have discovered treatments that inhibit ALlk+ lung cancer growth which can slow or even stop cancer progression, often with minimal adverse side effects. Although there is no cure, the hope is that these medications increase the life span by years compared to traditional lung cancer. The top doctor for Dan's cancer is located in Boston and will work closely with the doctors close to home to ensure he gets the best treatment possible and this man who is kind, selfless and unwaveringly positive is going to fight. He is going to shatter all statistics and fight this thing.
Dan and Brittany have been together for over 15 years, High School Sweethearts both attended Kutztown University then were married in July 2012. They have Two adorable daughters Francesca aka( Frankie) 4 and Georgia 2.
This is just the beginning of their fight! Please say a prayer send a donation that will help with the financial burden that arrives with this horrible disease. Our Prayers and Love go out to this young beautiful family the road ahead my not be clear but we have Faith and we have each other ! OUR Village is Large as they FIGHT TO WIN THIS BATTLE OVER LUNG CANCER!!
Thank you and Bless you,
Organizer and beneficiary
Judy West Mendoza
Organizer
Horsham Township, PA
Brittany Wilson
Beneficiary